Almost half of the Talamanca outfall has already been removed

The project, set to be completed in April, will improve the bay’s environment and eliminate an obsolete infrastructure.

The manager of the Balearic Water and Environmental Quality Agency (Abaqua), Emeterio Moles; the Councilor for Environment and Cleaning of the Eivissa City Council, Jordi Grivé; and the project manager, Roger Torregrosa, visited the Talamanca Bay outfall removal works on February 10. During the inspection, they assessed the progress of the project, which has already reached 45% completion, and highlighted the environmental significance of the initiative.

With almost half of the work completed, the project is nearing its midpoint and is progressing according to schedule, with an expected completion date of April 18, 2025. The project, which involves an investment of €1,050,453.03 (VAT included) and a five-month execution period, remains on track and is progressing smoothly, despite occasional delays due to adverse weather conditions. Specifically, 700 meters of the outfall and all ballast weights have already been removed.

The removal of the outfall will bring a significant improvement to Talamanca Bay’s biodiversity, eliminating a total of 1,375.5 meters of fiber cement piping and other outdated materials. The process is being carried out in a controlled manner, with sections of 6 meters dismantled, floated to the surface using inflatable buoys, and then transported to designated collection areas assigned by the Port Authority for proper disposal.

"We are removing an infrastructure that was no longer in use and posed an unnecessary impact on the seabed. With this project, we are taking another step in protecting the coastline and restoring the marine ecosystem of Talamanca Bay," stated Emeterio Moles.

The Abaqua manager also emphasized that the dismantling is being conducted under strict safety protocols, particularly regarding the handling of fiber cement, and with special attention to preserving the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, a crucial ecosystem for water quality and marine biodiversity.

Since the work began on November 18, 2024, sea conditions have forced temporary halts on certain days in December and January. However, no major storms have significantly impacted the project timeline. "We knew that weather conditions could be a factor to consider, but we are optimizing our schedule to minimize delays. That’s why, when sea conditions allow, work continues on weekends as well," explained Moles.

The project is expected to be completed by April 18, 2025, before the start of the tourist season, fulfilling the commitment to balance the project’s execution with tourism activity and the environmental protection of the bay.